| Bible in Basic English (BBE) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
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1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
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2 A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
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2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
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3 When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
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3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace.
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4 The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
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4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
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5 To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
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5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.
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6 A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
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6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
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7 The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
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7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
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8 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
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8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
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9 He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
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9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
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10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
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10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
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11 The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
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11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall.
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12 Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
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12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
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13 To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
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13 He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame.
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14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
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14 A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
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15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
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15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
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16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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16 A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.
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17 The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
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17 The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
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18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
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18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
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19 A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
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19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
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20 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
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20 From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
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21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
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21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
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22 Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
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22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
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23 The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
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23 A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.
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24 There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
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24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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| The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain. (The Bible in Basic English Version Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
